Dubbed the Catlin Seaview Survey, the project will map the reef as far as 100 meters down and capture some 50,000 panoramic images of life under the sea.

Although it’s nice that this will let us all go on virtual scuba diving trips and check out funny-looking fish, the project has a higher purpose for scientists. They'll use the maps to study the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea, to investigate the effects of climate change on sea life, and to show us landlubbers how much our actions on earth affect the oceans.

The charting starts in September, but for now you can play around with this preview of the tool. Our only complaint: Staring at the screen for too long is a little dizzying, because the camera is underwater, and the images seem to rock slightly with the waves.